A NEW comprehensive plan will ensure Docklands development is guided by best practice urban design principles, creating high quality public spaces for Melbourne's growing waterfront community, according to the City of Melbourne.

The Docklands Public Realm Plan (DPRP), which was released last week for public consultation, aims to set out a strategic vision for the streets and places that the public use in Docklands.

Once finalised, it is expected that the Plan will provide greater certainty to developers and designers with guiding principles relating to community amenity, connectivity, sustainability and Docklands unique identity. 

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said that the release of the Plan was an important next step in planning for Docklands in the second decade that will result in a more integrated public realm.

"The first decade of Docklands development focused on the bricks and mortar. Over the next ten years we are determined to deliver community infrastructure of the highest quality, such as a new library and community hub," Cr Doyle said.

"The City of Melbourne's acclaimed urban design and planning team has developed a comprehensive guide which will give certainty to developers and ensure quality infrastructure along the breadth of the waterfront.

"The Docklands Public Realm Plan will ensure there is a wide range of parks and places for the community at Docklands, whilst maintaining consistently high design standards," the Lord Mayor said.

Cr Kevin Louey, Co-Chair of the Docklands Coordination Committee, said the Plan was now open for public submissions and welcomed input from the community and developers.

The Plan is coupled with new Design and Construction Standards for Docklands that outlines the approvals process and provides technical standards for public realm infrastructure.

Also last week, the City of Melbourne released its draft 2012-13 budget for consultation, saying it contained significant capital investment in services and infrastructure.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Melbourne had grown and changed substantially over the tenure of this Council.

The Swanston Street redevelopment and construction of the Carlton Baths and Family Resource Centre are cited as some of the key achievements of this Council's term, as is the opening of a community centre and library at the former JH Boyd School site at Southbank.

Cr Doyle said the City of Melbourne had positioned itself at the forefront of sustainability while focusing on important social challenges such as homelessness and city safety.

Major bike and stormwater harvesting projects, starting construction of a new library and community hub at Docklands and refurbishment of the Kathleen Syme Centre will be undertaken in the next financial year.

More information on the Docklands Public Realm Plan and the Council's draft budget 2012-13 is available from the City of Melbourne website at <http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/>.